Thiruvanthpuram will soon become one of the largest solar cities in the country with a Kerala government agency launching an ambitious project to turn every rooftop in the state capital into a solar energy- producing station. The Kerala government-run Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT) opened an expo where the public can see, learn about and purchase various solar energy systems to implement the central government scheme that was launched last year by PM Modi.
“This solar city project aims to meet all power requirements of a city from renewable energy sources. In Thiruvanthapuram we have identified the potential for the production of 800 MW solar energy. We have identified three lakh buildings suitable for installation through the creation of a solar atlas,” Narendra Nath Velluri, Director of ANERT.
Solar Panel Installation have already begun in 600 government buildings out of which 150 were commissioned Velluri said. He added that the remaining government building would be commissioned within one or two months. The officials said if people come forward to install solar panels on the three lakh private buildings identified, 70 MW of solar energy could be produced.
“The remaining 100 MW can be produced using solar street lamps and through government institutions. Solar panels help consumers become prosumers (producing consumers) as their electricity bill could be zero and they could earn money by supplying power to the grid,” Velluri said.
A 3KW solar system can take care of the entire power requirement for an average household. “A 3KW solar system can cost between Rs 2 to 2.5 lakh. The central government will give a subsidy of 40 per cent for the 3 KW system. So one can install a 3KW solar system for Rs 1.6 lakh,” he said.
“The State Government is responsible for the implementation of the project. The Kerala government is also incentivizing those who opt for the renewable energy option by owning up to four per cent of the interest on bank loans to purchase solar systems,” Velluri said.
